Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on December 7, 2012 by mrandmrs55

Shammi Kapoor’s wistful gaze wins over hearts as he pines about unconditional love in Junglee (1961)

Our next translation is a truly special song from Subodh Mukherjee’s Junglee (1961): ahsaan teraa hogaa mujh par. Junglee stars Saira Banu in her debut role as a stunning Kashmiri beauty who wins over a stoic, arrogant businessman played by Shammi Kapoor. This film was instrumental in launching Saira Banu’s career as a heroine and solidifying Shammi Kapoor’s image as a charming loverboy. As an aside, this film is also noteworthy because it ushered in an era of producing mainstream Bollywood films in Eastman color!

Composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and penned by Hasrat Jaipuri, this song ranks among my all-time favorites rendered by the inimitable Mohammed Rafi. This touching melody rooted in raga Yaman Kalyan with heartfelt words expressing the beautiful struggles of unconditional love is perfectly suited for Mohammed Rafi’s delicate, velvety vocals. Shammi Kapoor’s on-screen portrayal–especially that sensual look in his eyes–adds to Rafi’s romantic rendition.

Lata Mangeshkar has done an apt job performing a second shorter “sad” version of this song in film. Yet it somehow lacks the magic and sensual ease of Rafi’s rendition, and this might be attributed to Shankar-Jakishan’s decision to have Lata sing this song in the same “male scale” as Rafi. For more on this phenomenon, please see our previous post on the role of the soprano voice in Hindi film music here.

Please enjoy this veritable gem of Hindi film music by reading the lyrics and our English translation provided below! Until next time…

-Mr. 55

16-year-old Saira Banu makes a stunning debut alongside Shammi Kapoor in Junglee (1961)

Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar: Lyrics and Translation

ahsaan teraa hogaa mujh par
You would be granting me a favor
dil chahtaa hai vah kahne do
if you permit me to reveal my heart’s desires.
mujhe tum se muhabbat ho gayii hai
I have fallen in love with you.
mujhe palko.n kii chaa.nv me.n rahne do
Please let me dwell in the shadows of your eyelashes.

tum ne mujhko ha.nsnaa sikhayaa
You taught me how to smile,
rone kahoge ro le.nge ab
yet I would cry now upon your request.
aa.nsuu kaa hamaare gham na karo
Please do not mourn for my tears.
ve bahte hai.n to bahne do
They have started to flow, so let them fall.
mujhe tum se muhabbat ho gayii hai
I have fallen in love with you.
mujhe palko.n ki chaa.nv me.n rahne do
Please let me dwell in the shadows of your eyelashes.

chaahe banaa do chaahe miTaa do
Whether you build me up or destroy me,
mar bhii gaye to de.nge duaaye.n
I will give you my blessings even if I die.
uD uD ke kahegii khaak sanam
Oh beloved, as they fly in the air, my ashes will say:
yah dard-e-muhabbat sahne do
“Let us bear the burden of this pain in love.”
mujhe tum se muhabbat ho gayii haii
I have fallen in love with you.
mujhe palko.n kii chaa.nv me.n rahne do
Please let me dwell in the shadows of your eyelashes.

ahsaan teraa hogaa mujh par
You would be granting me a favor.

Glossary

ahsaan: favor; muhabbat: love; palke.n: eyelids, eyelashes; aa.nsuu: tears; gham karnaa: to mourn; bahnaa: to flow; miTaa denaa: to destroy; duaaye.n: blessings; uDnaa: to fly; khaak: ashes; sanam: beloved; dard-e-muhabbat: pain in love; sahnaa: to endure, tolerate.

Junglee (1961) showcases the beauty of the Kashmiri countryside.

Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on November 27, 2012 by mrandmrs55

Manoj Kumar plays the righteous Mr. Bharat wooing a wayward Westernized girl in Purab Aur Paschim (1970).

We now present the lyrics and English translation to the haunting love song “Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday” from Manoj Kumar’s cult classic Purab Aur Paschim (1970). The film was one of many patriotic hits by Manoj Kumar that etched his niche as a fighter of Indian values on screen that no other producer or actor could replace. Shot with an entirely overt pro-India agenda that is really more endearing than offensive, Purab Aur Paschim rides on the righteousness of traditional values over the decay and corruption of societies lost to drugs, sex, and disregard for elders. It’s the anti-thesis to Orientalism–a vibrant, exotic lens coloured by everything India wanted to believe existed in the wild, wild West. It’s a film that only Manoj Kumar in his quiet Nehru coats, quivering upper lip, and a sincere belief in the Indian way of life could truly pull off. While the exaggerations of London decadence may seem heavy-handed at times, there’s a real heart in this film that will win you over. See our translation of “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” for more!

“Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday” is a haunting Mukesh solo that stands wonderfully alone without fancy back-up music or elaborate picturization. From the plucking of strings that mark its opening to the quietly fading finale, his song has a unique power. Plus, keeping in line with the extremist traditionalism, how often will you find hardcore Sanskrit-based Hindi films in lyrics like “hriday” or “kanwal“?!

All that said, you can’t ignore that the lyrics are borderline groveling–they are sung by a traditional Mr. Bharat who finds himself in “modern” London and unused to the fast and easy ways of the West. Manoj Kumar falls hard for smoking playgirl Saira Banu–blonde wig, miniskirt, and all–to the point that he proclaims he will wait for her until the end to reciprocate after her other lovers grow tired of her. Is this truly what the perfect Indian man is supposed to be? My former Urdu professor used to have a really negative reaction to Manoj Kumar putting up with a girl like that–and found it pathetic he accepted she had so many other men in her life! Is he really pathetic or just blindly in love? Perhaps Manoj Kumar is simply trying to express that the unconditional love and devotion of the Indian way of life will outlast the fickle West shifting back and forth from empty pleasure to pleasure.

Saira Banu feigns nonchalance with her painfully fake blonde bouffant in Purab Aur Paschim (1970).

But say what you want about the lyrics, the melody is beautiful and Mukesh’s rendition is filled with emotion that I adore every time. Enjoy our English translation and lyrics to “Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday” below! Follow along here on youtube and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Lyrics and Translation

Koi jab tumhaaraa hriday toD de
When someone breaks your heart
Tadaptaa huaa jab koii chhoD de
When someone leaves you in suffering
Tab tum mere paas aanaa priye
Then come to me, beloved
Meraa dar khulaa hai, khulaa hii rahegaa tumhaare liye
My door is open, and will always remain open for you
Koi jab tumhaaraa hriday toD de
When someone breaks your heart

Abhii tumko merii zaruurat nahii.N
At the moment you do not need someone like me
Bahut chaahanewaale mil jaaye.nge
You will meet many people who fall in love with you
Abhii ruup ka ek saagar ho tum
For now you are an ocean of beauty
Kanwal jitne chaahoge khil jaaye.Nge
As many lotuses as you desire will bloom for you
Darpan tumhe jab Daraane lage
When your own image in the mirror starts to scare you
Jawaanii bhi daaman chuDaane lage
When your youth begins to leave you
Tab tum mere paas aanaa priye
Then you will come to me, beloved
Meraa sar jhukaa hai, jhukaa hii rahegaa tumhaare liye
My head is bowed to you, and will always bow to you
Koi jab tumhaaraa hriday toD de
When someone breaks your heart

Koii shart hotii nahii.N pyaar mei.N
There are no conditions in love
Magar pyaar sharto.N pe tum ne kiyaa
But your love is based on conditions
Nazar mei.N sitaare jo chamake zaraa
Those stars in your eyes that glittered for a while
Bujhaane lagii aartii ka diiyaa
They have begun to extinguish the candles of devotion
Jab apnii nazar mei.N hii girne lago
When that image of yourself falls in your own esteem
Andhero.N mei.N apne hii ghirne lago
When your own darkness starts to surround you
Tab tum mere paas aanaa priye
Then you will come to me, beloved
Yeh deepak jalaa hai, jalaa hii rahegaa tumhaare liye
This light is burning, it will always remain burning for you

Koi jab tumhaaraa hriday toD de
When someone breaks your heart
Tadaptaa huaa jab koii chhoD de
When someone leaves you in suffering
Tab tum mere paas aanaa priye
Then come to me, beloved
Meraa dar khulaa hai, khulaa hii rahegaa tumhaare liye
My door is open, and will always remain open for you
Koi jab tumhaaraa hriday toD de
When someone breaks your heart

Glossary

hriday: heart, liver; priya: beloved; dar: door; zaruurat: need; ruup: beauty, saagar: ocean; kanwal: lotus; Darpan: mirror; Daraane: to scare; jawaanii: youth; sar jhuknaa: to bow your head; shart: condition; sitaaraa: star; chamaknaa: to sparkle, to glitter; aartii: a common Hindu devotional prayer; diiyaa: small clay candle; girnaa: to fall; ghirnaa: to cloud, to surround; andheraa: darkness; deepak: light

Note: Take careful note of the use of the verbs ghirnaa and girnaa that are found side-by-side in these lyrics. They sound extremely similar but mean different things!

Yes, surprise surprise, Saira Banu reforms her wicked Western ways by the end of the film and bursts into a beautiful Lata rendition of aarti back in the motherland. Oh, looks like you forgot to remove and burn that blonde wig. Woops.

Did you know this song was actually filmed at Oxford University? Watch the video carefully–the trimmed lawns and elegantly gated deer are from none other than Magdalen college! I only wonder what all the hip 60s British college students must have been thinking as they watched the filming take place…

-Mrs. 55

Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbani Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on November 22, 2012 by mrandmrs55

Tall and handsome Joy Mukherjee serenades Sadhana with a harmonium in hand in Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! In the spirit of giving thanks today, we are presenting one of Hindi cinema’s most cherished expressions of gratitude: “bahut shukriyaa baDii maharbaanii” from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962). Directed by Raj Khosla, this film presents Joy Mukherjee and Sadhana in their second film together after debuting in Love in Simla (1960). Despite some plot loopholes and scattered character development, this film is worth a watch for Sadhana’s sublime beauty, O.P Nayyar’s evergreen soundtrack, and the cinematic portrayal of Kashmir. This movie must have done something right because it became the second-biggest hit at the box office in 1962!

Mohammed Rafi is at his playful best as he sings for Joy Mukherjee’s character, a wounded soldier who has fallen in love with Sadhana after being hit with classic Bollywood’s most popular disease: amnesia! Asha Bhonsle also makes her presence felt despite being given a single stanza to sing here. Although the Lata-Rafi pairing was the golden standard at the time, the unique chemistry shared between Asha and Rafi in such duets as this one is undeniable. The true star here, however, is music director O.P. Nayyar. Despite his lack of formal musical training, O.P. Nayyar was gifted with a natural talent for composing memorable melodies that appealed to the masses. Here, he draws upon Kashmiri folk influences to craft a tune that has truly survived the test of time. Of special note in this song is the interplay of the harmonium and dholak, two instruments that were often passed over by many music directors for more robust alternatives (e.g. strings, tabla, etc). This orchestration is an integral part of the song and it has even been reflected in the picturization: Joy Mukherjee serenades with a harmonium strapped around his neck as Sadhana accompanies on the dholak.

Given the special occasion of Thanksgiving, we hope that the portrayal of thankful sincerity in this song will inspire you to go say dhanyavaad, shukriya, or thank you to the loved ones in your life. Before the food coma from dinner sets in, take a listen to this gem and follow along with the lyrics and our English translation below. Enjoy!

–Mr.55

Who is wearing more make-up here? Joy or Sadhana? 🙂

Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbani: Lyrics and Translation

bahut shukriyaa baDii maharbaanii
Many thanks for the great kindness you have shown
merii zindagii me.n, huzuur, aap aaye
by coming into my life, oh beloved.
qadam chuum luu.n, yaa ki aa.nkhe.n bichha duu.n?
Shall I kiss your feet or wait in desperation?
karuu.n kyaa yah merii samaj me.n na aaye
I cannot understand what I should do.

karuu.n pesh tum ko nazaraana dil kaa
I shall offer you my heart as a gift
ki ban jaaye koii afsaanaa dil kaa
so that a tale of the heart is created.
khudaa jaane aisii suhaanii ghaDii phir
God knows that such a lovely moment
merii zindagi me.n palaT ke na aaye
may never return again in my life.
bahut shukriya…
Many thanks...

khushii to bahut hai, magar yah bhii gham hai
I am experiencing much happiness, but also some sorrow
ki yah saath apnaa qadam do qadam hai
because our companionship is limited to taking only a few steps together.
magar yah musaafir duaa maangtaa hai
Yet this traveler prays that
khudaa aap se phir kisii din milaaye
God may arrange for us to meet again one day
bahut shukriya…
Many thanks…

mujhe Dar hai mujh me.n ghuruur aa na jaaye
I am afraid that I may become filled with pride.
laguu.n jhuumne me.n, suruur aa na jaaye
As I begin to dance, I fear that I may be overcome with exhilaration.
kahii.n dil na meraa yah taariif sun kar
I hope that, upon hearing your praises, my heart
tumhaaraa bane aur mujhe bhuul jaaye
does not become yours while forgetting me.

bahut shukriyaa baDii maharbaanii
Many thanks for the kindness you have shown
merii zindagii me.n, huzuur, aap aaye
by coming into my life, oh beloved.

*Male lines in black are sung by Mohammed Rafi. Female lines in red are sung by Asha Bhonsle.

Glossary

shukriyaa: thanks; maharbaanii: kindness; huzuur: beloved; qadam: foot, step; chuum lenaa: to kiss; aankhe.n bichhaa denaa: to wait desperately; samaj: understanding; pesh karnaa: to offer; nazaraanaa: gift; afsaanaa: tale; suhaanii: lovely; palaT ke aanaa: to return; musaafir: traveler; duaa maangnaa: to pray; ghuruur: pride; suruur: exhilaration; taariif: praise.

Joy and Sadhana share great (and perhaps unexpected) on-screen chemistry in Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962)

Jayen To Jayen Kahan Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on November 18, 2012 by mrandmrs55

Dev Anand stares at the lonely beach in “Jayen To Jayen Kahan” from Taxi Driver (1954).

Next we present the full lyrics and English translation of “Jayen To Jayen Kahan” from Taxi Driver (1954). It’s one of yesteryear star Talat Mehmood’s most beloved solo hits. For anyone in the crowd who is unfamiliar with Talat, I’m truly saddened for your sake, but actually not entirely surprised. He’s one of the great unsung heroes of Bollywood who’s place in musical history was undermined with the rise and domination of Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh by the 60s. At least Hemant Kumar wrote his own film compositions and could conveniently cast himself as singer! But Talat was classy. While largely remembered for his legendary mark in ghazal-dom, Talat actually gave Shammi Kapoor his first hits in the 50s before Mohammed Rafi entered the scene. Yes, Talat was edged out of the business like a budding flower before Autumn. And did I mention he was so incredibly good-looking for a playback singer that he also acted in several films?

Dapper Talat Mehmood sings and acts with Suraiya in Waris (1954). Hottie, right?!

I could go on and on about my love for Talat and his velvety smooth voice, but let’s stay focused. Like later Dev Anand hit CID (1956), Taxi Driver is a really wonderful glimpse at chaotic and quaint 1950s Bombay city life. Told through the creative eyes of Chetan Anand (director and Dev Anand’s brother), the film is forever locked in its own charmingly antiquated society and street life of a bygone era. Most importantly, behind-the-scenes, Dev Anand was falling in love with his sensuous on-screen partner, Kalpana Kartik who would become his wife! It’s one of the few times you’ll see the two together (check out Baazi (1951) or Nau Do Gyarah (1957) for more!) and the juiciness of it all makes the film fun for the whole family. As Kalpana (AKA Mona Anand) later recalled:

I still remember our midnight marriage on the sets of “Taxi Driver” in 1954. Dev was a shy, youthful person, very co-operative and sensitive. We passed six decades together amid a lot of thick and thin. Whenever I heard rumours that he would desert me, I laughed my heart out. I knew that nomadic Dev would always be mine.

Cute, right? The hit philosophical song of the film “Jayen To Jayen Kahan” is sung first by Talat and later by Lata in the reprise–adding a touch of melodrama to the action. It’s beautifully picturized–the Talat version feels like an early Ozu film and carries a heavy weight with it. The careful cinematography allows time to pass slowly in a way that removes the viewer from the material world of the film and completely engulfs them in the philosophical queries of the song. Lyrics are, of course, by the great Sahir Ludhianvi. It’s a must-see for fans of early cinema!

Gorgeous Kalpana Karthik and wife of Dev Anand, sings with Grace Kelly style in Taxi Driver (1954).

So without further ado, enjoy the lyrics and English translation to “Jayen To Jayen Kahan“! We’ve got you the male and female versions below (click here for the Talat version video!).

Jayen To Jayen Kahan Lyrics and Translation:

Male:

Jaaye.N to jaaye.N kahaa.N?
If I must go, where could I go?
Samjhegaa kaun yahaa.N dard bhare dil ki zubaa.N?
Who here will understand the words of a heart full of pain?

Mayuusiio.N kaa majamaa hai.N jee mei.N
A crowd of disappointments resides in my soul
Kya reh gayaa hai is zindagi mei.n
What is left for me in this life?
Ruuh mei.N gham, dil mei.N dhuuaa.N
In my soul is sadness, in my heart is smoke

Unka bhi gham hai, apna bhi gham hai
She has her sorrows, I have my own
Ab dil ke bachne kii ummiid kam hai
Now there is little hope of saving my heart
Ek kashTii, sau tuufaa.N
For it is like a single boat against a hundred storms

Jaaye.N to jaaye.N kahaa.N?
If I must go, where could I go?
Samjhegaa kaun yahaa.N dard bhare dil ki zubaa.N?
Who here will understand the words of a heart full of pain?

Female:

Jaaye.N to jaaye.N kahaa.N?
If I must go, where could I go?
Samjhegaa kaun yahaa.N dard bhare dil ki zubaa.N?
Who here will understand the words of a heart full of pain?

O jaanewaale daaman chhuDaake
Oh traveler who is leaving my embrace
mushkil hai jeenaa tujhko bhuulaake
Forgetting you and continuing to live is difficult
Is se to hai maut aasaan
Even death is easier than this

Seene.N mei.N shole, saa.Nso.N mei.N aahe.N
In my chest are embers, in my breaths are sighs
Is zindagii se kaise nibhaaye
What is there for me to fulfill in this life?
Har jazabaat hai viiraan
My every emotion is empty

Jaaye.N to jaaye.N kahaa.N?
If I must go, where could I go?
Samjhegaa kaun yahaa.N dard bhare dil ki zubaa.N?
Who here will understand the words of a heart full of pain?

Glossary:

dard: pain; zubaa.N: words, language; mayuusii: disappointment; majamaa: crowd; ruuh: soul; gham: sadness; dhhuuaa.N: smoke; ummiid: hope; kashTii: boat; tuufaa.N: storm; mushkil: difficult; maut: death; ahsaan: easy; seenaa: chest; shole: embers; saans: breath; aah: sigh; jazabaat: emotion; viraan: empty, wasted

I think the most important question here is, who sang it better: Lata or Talat? At the risk of being strangled by Mr. 55, I think it’s pretty clear the answer is Talat. It’s one of the few songs that just was not written for Lata–it sounds a little strained coming from her, if I dare say so. Talat, meanwhile, sounds like an effortless dream as always. A Talat Mehmood hit was requested by reader Suman! Send us a message if you’ve got a request too!

An adorable early rare photograph of Dev Anand with his wife Kalpana Kartik.

-Mrs. 55

Diwali Songs from Classic Bollywood

Posted on November 12, 2012 by mrandmrs55

Happy Diwali! For all our readers and fans observing the occasion, what could be better than a list of 10 classic Bollywood Diwali songs to enjoy over the celebrations today? For a country of over 1 billion Hindus and an industry that absolutely loves to celebrate any kind of occasion with song and dance, Bollywood has a surprisingly low number of Diwali songs in its films. I mean, think about it–Diwali is the country’s largest national holiday, lends itself brilliantly to poetry (festival of lights imagery, the story of the Ramayan, etc.), and is practically bound to succeed by virtue of having very little with which to compete. People are aching for these songs, yet they hardly exist–much less ones worth hearing over and over.

Dharmendra celebrates Diwali with fireworks and song in Jugnu (1973).

To be sure, plenty of great Diwali bhajans exist outside the realm of Bollywood (look no further than Tulsidas classic “Shri Ram Chandra”), many of which have excellent covers by our favorite playback singers. But within the films? The pickings are slim. I’ve got a theory as to why this might be the case. Let us consider the example of Christmas as we know it in America. When we think of great Christmas jingles, the songs we name predominantly come from hit singers or church traditions–with only a few actually having made it to popular culture from films, despite Hollywood having had a long and successful musical film movement (Judy Garland’s gorgeous “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” comes to mind).

So perhaps Bollywood is no different. Because singing a song about Diwali actually requires Diwali to be a major part of the plot, the happy coincidence rarely occurred–much less with the good fortune of also having been a brilliant composition. Furthermore, celebrations like Holi, for which we can name at least a handful of terrific Bollywood songs, actually lend themselves much better to an upbeat and colorful party on-screen–so musical composition could be a bit more relaxed. With Diwali, you’re treading on sacred ground–and why mess with something that non-filmi bhajans do way better anyway?

Still, a few intrepid pioneers prevailed, and while some are more memorable than others, you’ll find plenty of hidden gems! Below find our list of 10 classic Bollywood Diwali songs that will get the festivities started old-school style! Click the song names to get to the link to youtube.

10 Classic Bollywood Diwali Songs:

1. Kaise Diwali Manaye Lala (Mohammed Rafi, Paigham 1959)

Be prepared from some ridiculous Johnny Walker antics, but a fun dance beat to get your spirits up!

2. Aayi Ab Ke Saal Diwali (Lata Mangeshkar, Haqeeqat 1965)

On a somber note, this haunting Lata Mangeshkar melody from war epic Haqeeqat is a stark reminder of families in grieving this time of year.

3. Is Raat Diwali Kaise (Mohammed Rafi, Shamshad Begum, & Asha Bhonsle, Sabse Bada Rupaiya 1955)

Oh, what?! A Diwali qawwali?! SIGN ME UP! A peppy song describing Diwali festivities sung in traditional qawwali style that gets you clapping along.

4. Laakhon Taare Aasman Mein (Mukesh and Lata, Hariyali Aur Raasta 1962)

Another tragic lovers-separated-on-Diwali-night song starring Manoj Kumar and Mala Sinha, but the melody is sweet and watching Manoj Kumar mope is never such a bad thing. The Lata-Mukesh chemistry works well as always!

5. Jagmati Diwali Ki Raat Aa Gayi (Asha Bhonsle, Stage 1951)

We’re really getting old-school with this one. It’s a rare early song that sounds more like Geeta Dutt than Asha Bhonsle to me. It builds to a frenzy at the end that’s kind of exciting!

6. Deep Diwale Ke (Kishore Kumar, Jugnu 1973)

This may be one of the more popular Diwali songs on our list–sung by lively Kishore Kumar and picturized on Dharmendra with a bunch of happy school kids, you can’t go wrong!

7. Ek Woh Bhi Diwali Thi (Mukesh, Nazrana 1961)

For some balance, here’s another sad song by the inimitable Mukesh-Raj Kapoor duo. Everyone is having a grand time outside partying with sparklers, while moody Raj Kapoor broods upon the days that once were.

8. Deep Jalenge Deep Diwali Aayi Ho (Geeta Dutt, Paisa 1957)

As a connoisseur of Geeta Dutt obscurities, I love this song. With a joyous melody and that gentle lulling voice, it’s one of the better gems on this list!

9. Mele Hain Chiragon Ke Rangeen Ki Diwali Hai (Lata, Nazrana, 1961)

This would be the “happy version” counterpoint to the Raj Kapoor tragedy from earlier. You can see why Raj Kapoor is sad these days are over–everyone’s having a grand old time and it doesn’t hurt to have the voice of a goddess Lata to back you up!

10. Aayi Hai Diwali (Geeta Dutt and Shamshad Begum, Sheesh Mahal 1950)

Another early period Diwali song–and a duet no less! The whole household is bustling with activity and women all over join the chorus for the celebrations!

Even sexy song siren Helen puts on her serious face for a Diwali moment in Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979).

Here are two bonus tracks for extra thrills:

11. Aayi Diwali (Zohrabai Ambalewali, Rattan 1944)

The oldest song on our list! And of course, it’s a Greek tragedy–but rare and exciting for any fans of early early Bollywood. Before the days of Lata Mangeshkar, 1940s playback singer Zohrabai Ambalewali turned music director Naushad into an overnight sensation with this hit!

12. Jyot Se Jyot Jagate Chalo (the exciting Lata version! Sant Gyaneshwar, 1964)

OK, so this song might not be *technically* a Diwali song per se, but it’s thematically spot-on! And I just discovered the Lata Mangeshkar version to compliment the Mukesh version, which I had thought existed in isolation. I can’t believe I did not know about this sooner, I’m so happy right now!

This Diwali special was brought in by request from one of our favorite readers muskaan. We wish everyone a joyous Diwali and a prosperous year ahead!

– Mrs. 55